Broken Protocols (13 page)

There were a few more questions about her education and schools. Not knowing many, he used the same schools that he’d gone to and gave her a degree in IT systems. At least that was something he could train her for. And since so many people had a similar education, it was a common course for her to have completed.

Then finally it was done. Dani was a single orphan female, twenty-four, educated, healthy.

The specialist said, “Last section. We have to connect to her financial information.”

Levi nodded, ready for this. Last night when he realized what this process was going to mean, he’d opened some accounts under Dani’s name. He punched in his access code on his comp then brought up the account. With a few swift clicks, Dani was connected to the credit system of his times. He’d transferred a moderate chunk of money to help her get established, but not enough to raise any alarms. He had no idea what she was going to need over the next year, and he knew he’d use what money he had to make her life as good as he could make it.

That was the least he could do.

But she’d need so much more.

The specialist packed up the comp and closed his bag. He turned to Levi and held out a porter. Levi stilled. This would be the first time he would see the price for Dani’s tagging. He reached for it, took a look, schooled his features to not react, then held the unit to his own wrist and pushed the buttons, allowing the payment from his account. He wanted to laugh at the mockery of the company name on the bill. He’d just paid for cosmetic upgrades for Dani. How true. It would be hard to consider any other body modification that would match this expense.

When it was completed, he handed the unit back to the specialist, who nodded, put it in his pocket, and proceeded to walk out of the apartment.

Feeling odd, yet relieved about the whole thing, Levi reengaged stealth mode on the apartment. There was a part of him that wondered if he wouldn’t be better off relocating so as to not be found again.

He’d paid the bill. But he’d also opened himself to potential blackmail in the future. And Dani, now safe from the government, was in danger from the very men who’d helped save her. There was one other thing he could do to protect her – but it was a last resort. And it would involve his family. He wasn’t quite ready for that step yet.

His mind raced for ways to protect them both. She moaned just then and he realized she needed the pod. He could work the rest of the details out later. Surely Milo could find something on these men to help balance the scales.

When both had secrets to hide, the playing field was levelled.

And that would best.

But first he had to see to Dani.

D
ani woke to
tears rolling down her cheeks. She tried to swipe them away and cried out, instinctively hugging her hand up to her chest. She was being carried in strong arms again. A protective caring set of arms. Levi.

“Easy, Dani. It’s over.” Levi’s comforting voice washed over her.

She tried to understand what was going on. Levi was speaking, but she didn’t understand what he was saying.

“I’m taking you back to the pod. An hour in there and you’ll feel much better.”

The pod. Healing. Her sore wrist. And then she remembered. The stranger. Tagging. For some reason, this injury, this injustice done in an attempt to make everything right…had become the last straw.

Maybe because she was tired, maybe because she hurt, and maybe it was just because it had all become too much, but once she started, she couldn’t stop the tears.

“It’s going to be all right, Dani,” Levi’s worried voice whispered in her ear. “I’m so sorry we had to do this.”

“It’s all right,” she sobbed as the tears poured out. “It’s not your fault.”

“And yet it is.” He sighed as they entered the pod room. “Milo is my brother and he brought you here for me. I certainly didn’t ask him to do this, but because of his actions, your life has been ruined.” He laid her down on the pod. She moaned as her arm was jostled.

“I’m so sorry,” Levi said. The pain in his voice was so evident she wanted to reassure him it was fine – only it wasn’t fine. Her wrist throbbed.

“I am, too,” she whispered, lying back and shuddering. “I had no idea it would hurt this much.”

“It shouldn’t,” Levi said quietly. “He gave you something for the pain, but I’m not sure your body can handle the drugs of today.”

Not a nice thought. “The pod might help.” She curled into a ball, her injured arm lying on her side so that the pod’s rays could gain access. She closed her eyes, tears still leaking through.

“I’ll go mix a pain cocktail.” He lowered the pod lid. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

She could hear his footsteps retreating. Thank God. She was set to have a royal bawl. She’d been holding back but now that she was alone, the sobs rolled free. Everything hurt and it seemed like her life was the absolute worst it could be. She cried and cried, letting the tears and stress and pain drain from her overwhelmed system.

She’d always been proud of her ability to adapt. She wasn’t sure she could in this situation. She’d try hard, but damn, this was a mind bender to set anyone’s balance off. Oddly enough, by the time she stopped bawling, she felt better. Just to be able to let go like that had helped her ease back the stress levels.

Sure, her wrist still hurt, but the coiled sense of being too full, too hurt, too…whatever was gone. She let the last of the sobs hiccup out before she took several deep breaths.

“Are you okay now?”

Levi’s worried voice came from the open doorway. Damn. She sniffled back the last bit of the tears. “Sorry,” she whispered, her voice thick and ragged, still clogged with tears. She knew her face would be red and puffy. She could only hope he didn’t open the pod. She didn’t want him to see her this way.

At the reminder of the pod, she brightened. Maybe it could heal her puffiness the same as it worked to heal the time travel damage. She turned slightly so her face was directly under the pod’s flashing lights. She didn’t know if it made a difference, but her skin immediately started to lose the tight hot sensation.

“Don’t be.” Levi stood there beside her and lifted the pod’s lid.

She rolled her face into the blanket. It was an instinctive yet childish reaction.

“Hey, don’t do that,” he whispered softly. “You don’t ever need to hide from me.”

That surprised a laugh out of her. “Sorry, I just know what I look like after I’ve been crying.”

“Crying is a great way to release all that pent up emotion. You’ve been through a lot.” He smiled down at her. “Give yourself a break. I think you’ve done wonderfully well.”

He lay down beside her and tugged her into his arms. Was he for real? Could any guy be this good? Or was it the men of this century, because if so, then wow!

And inexplicably, his acceptance brought on more waterworks.

Through her gentle sobs, Dani heard Levi’s distressed voice. “Please don’t cry, Dani. We’ll make it work out. I’m so sorry Milo did this, but I promise…I’ll do what I can to make it as good as I can. This really is a wondrous time to be alive. There are so many things I want to show you.”

He kept talking and murmuring gently as if the sheer mass of words would help calm her down.

It was working. She wiped her eyes, surprised to find the pod had adapted its size to accommodate the two of them. Truly there were many innovative things here. And maybe it was time she stopped being such a wet dishrag and realized what an opportunity she had.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, though he’d told her not to be sorry. “I don’t normally cry like this.”

“It’s like the physical effect on your body. There has to be some kind of emotional reaction, too. Tears only make sense.” He smiled at her. And damn if she wasn’t starting to like that smile. A little too much. He was worming his way into her heart. She really wanted him in her life.

She snuggled in closer and sighed happily. Maybe life wasn’t so rotten after all.

He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. She smiled. He really was a protector. Another kiss landed on her side of her head. She shifted slightly at the same time he slid down a little, and she found herself staring into his eyes. Huge, deeply magnetic purple eyes. Like how could that be? She so wanted eyes like that. Just gazing into them made her insides melt.

A tiny sigh escaped. He was so damn beautiful.

His eyes darkened.

She caught her breath.

Then he lowered his head…and kissed her.

*

The sweetness of
her lips disarmed him and made the next kiss inevitable. His lips moved gently on hers. Tasting, exploring, feeling a response that set his pulse pounding. He deepened the kiss, needing more. Needing to know she wanted more.

That she wanted him.

Like he wanted her. He couldn’t believe how much. He hadn’t even known of her existence a few days ago, and it galled him to think his brother had actually found her and retrieved her for him. Even worse to know that Milo had been right – she did look perfect for him – at least at first glance.

She twisted beneath him, her feet sliding up his calf, hooking under his pant leg and stroking his skin. He shuddered, sliding his hand around her back and down across her bare midriff. He’d chosen the clothes without realizing how sexy they’d look on her. Small and delicate, the clothing looked like they’d been created with her in mind. Add her almost ash blonde hair, and she looked like a slave girl from centuries ago.

He paused. She was from centuries ago.

She moved, twisting her body until his hand rested just below her chest. His breath caught in the back of his throat. As if his hand had a life of its own, his long fingers smoothed upward to cover her small rounded breast.

She gasped and arched into his hand.

He bent his head and lapped at the pouting nipple through the soft as silk material.

Her moan turned to a groan, and she shuddered.

God, he shouldn’t be doing this.

It wasn’t fair.

She needed to heal.

She didn’t know what she was doing.

She couldn’t know what she was doing.

She was dependent on him.

Argh. He pulled back, panting. “No,” he groaned in a harsh whisper. “You’re hurt.”

“I’m hurting,” she corrected. “And it’s going to hurt more if you don’t kiss me again.”

He raised himself higher so he could look down into her blue eyes. “Are you sure?”

Her gaze widened. “I get that you’re trying to think of me. Giving me a chance to change my mind. But…” She arched her back, brushing her breasts sinuously against his chest. “Unless you’ve done away with sex in your time…”

“Lord no.” His voice was filled with desire, and he lowered his head again. This time, he held nothing back. He wanted her and he wanted her to know how much. All the reasons why this wasn’t a good idea no longer mattered.

He wanted to show her how much he cared. Show her how good this could be between them. Instead, it seemed like his fingers were all thumbs and his normal suave skill had taken a hike. He was considered a skilled lover. But today, with her, it mattered too much, and he couldn’t seem to get it right. And she didn’t appear to notice.

He was all heat. Animal passion and raw need.

He couldn’t get enough of her.